With facts on ground, it is doubtful whether the country is committed to achieving education for sustainable development, which is goal four of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), on or before 2030, so says Vice Chancellor, Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Osun State, Prof. Sola Fajana,

The goal is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education, capable of promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, in the next 14 years.”

Speaking on the topic, “Education As A Tool in Creating Political Stability and Sustainable Development in Africa,” recently, Fajana noted that the aim of ensuring that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant effective learning outcomes, is seemingly not realisable with the way thing are currently going in the country.

The human resource expert therefore, stressed the need for the country’s education sector to organise a summit where the role and responsibilities of stakeholders, regulatory bodies, professional bodies, as well as employers would be spelt out for optimum success.

He said, “Existing facts show there are no indications of attaining education for sustainable development goals by 2030. Presently, the literacy rate in Nigeria is just about 36 per cent when compared to some other African countries. Countries like the United Arab Emirate have 93 per cent literacy rate. So, all hands must be on deck to ensure the attainment of quality education for all in this country.”

On the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for educational purposes in Africa, he urged the government at all levels to invest heavily in ICT, adding that it is not an option but the only choice the nation has to catch up with rest of the world.

“We don’t have a choice, we just have to invest in ICT, it is expensive, but we just have to do it, otherwise we will not be able to catch up with the rest of the world.”